title: Intestinal lactase (beta-galactosidase) and other glycosidase activities in suckling and adult tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii).
abstract: The activities of various glycosidases in homogenates of the small intestinal mucosa of two adult and 18 suckling tammar wallabies (M. eugenii) aged from 6 to 50 weeks were investigated. Lactase (beta-D-galactosidase), beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, alpha-L-fucosidase and neuraminidase activities were high during the first 34 weeks post partum and then declined to very low levels. Maltase, isomaltase, sucrase and trehalase activities were very low or absent during the first 34 weeks, and then increased. The lactase activity was unusual in being greater in the distal than the middle or proximal thirds of the intestine, and in its low pH optimum (pH 4.6), inhibition by p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate but not by Tris, and lack of cellobiase activity. These properties are those of a lysosomal acid beta-galactosidase rather than of a brush border neutral lactase. The maltase activity had the characteristics of a lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidase early in lactation and of a brush border neutral maltase in adult animals. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to changes in dietary carbohydrates during weaning and to the mode of digestion of milk carbohydrates by the pouch young.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005696:Galactosidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D007774:Lactation; D007614:Macropodidae / Q000254:growth & development*; D008394:Marsupialia / Q000254:growth & development*; D008871:Microvilli / Q000201:enzymology; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D013045:Species Specificity; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005696:Galactosidases; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; D001616:beta-Galactosidase